Page 106 of Blood Vows

She sighed. “That’s harder.”

“You don’t have to decide today.”

She gave him a look. “You’ve gotten very reasonable all of a sudden.”

“It’s a temporary condition, I assure you,” he teased.

“I figured.” Dante kissed her forehead.

“What are you thinking?” he asked.

She was quiet for a moment. “Some of it should go back to the families it came from.”

“Okay,” he agreed.

“Some of it should go to people hurt by Hale’s organization,” she said.

He nodded. “And the rest?”

She looked at him. “I want to start something in my father’s name.”

Dante went still. “What kind of something?”

“I don’t know yet.”

She shrugged.

“Maybe legal aid. Financial help. Something for families who get trapped in this world and don’t know how to get out.” Dante’s throat tightened. Antonio Romano would have liked that. He couldn’t say it out loud, though—not yet.

Elena squeezed his hand. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” he breathed.

“You hesitated,” she challenged.

“I’m allowed to hesitate,” he said. “It’s been a long day.” She smiled because he was a smartass—a smartass who loved her. That realization no longer scared him.

Three weeks later, the Crimson Accord officially died. Marco handled the corporate nightmare. Luca handled the families, and Elena handled everyone else. Dante mostly handled staying out of her way when she was angry—mostly. He failed often.

The meeting took place at Luca’s estate. All four original family interests had representatives present—the Romano, Camorra, and Vale families were there. The Hale seat remained empty, which felt appropriate. Elena sat at the head of the table, and Dante stayed against the wall behind her. She hated that. He knew because she had told him at least six times.

“You look like security,” she’d whispered before everyone arrived.

“I am security,” he reminded.

“You should also sit with me,” she ordered.

“No,” he said.

“Why not?” she asked.

“Better sightline here.”

She’d narrowed her eyes. “You’re impossible.”

“And yet—” he started.

“And yet what?” she asked.